The roof is the most vulnerable part of a house or business building to damage during a storm. The extent of the damage will depend on how severe the storm was, but some of the roof damage we see most frequently is as follows:
- A beam of light coming through your roof
- A sound of water dripping can be heard.
- Notice water dripping from your walls or ceiling
- Notice any dark or yellow stains on the ceiling.
- Notice broken or missing roof shingles
- Notice granules of shingles that resemble sand in your gutters or on the ground.
- Notice dents in your gutter system or on the roof.
It is advised that a roof tarp be used to conceal the damaged area of the roof until repairs are done to prevent further damage to your property’s roof. There are plenty of reasons you need to stop water from leaking into your home.
The main reason is for your family’s safety. When water keeps coming in and creates an atmosphere where dangerous mold spores can develop, your family’s health is in danger. Fires can start when water gets into electrical systems.
Another crucial reason for attaching a blue tarp to your roof is to secure your belongings. Aside from water damage, rodents can also enter through gaps in your roof. Rats, ants, and squirrels are all scrambling to find new residences after the storm demolishes their nest.
When preparing for a storm season, installing a tarp is a temporary safety measure. Therefore it’s critical to understand why one should be utilized. But you are probably wondering why you should use a tarp to secure the roof. Here are some of the benefits of using a tarp on your roof.
Why use a tarp?
There are fewer choices for protecting your roof during a major storm than windows and doors, which can be boarded up for additional wind, rain, and debris protection. Using a tarp makes sense because the roof is not only one of your home’s most exposed areas but also one of the most expensive to repair. The following are some reasons for tarping a roof:
- Tarps will aid in limiting the further harm that excessive wind and moisture may do to your roof.
- Some states have the misfortune of being slammed by a second storm, which can exacerbate any damage the previous storm caused to your roof. A tarp can shield the damaged areas from the wind and rain while also preventing water leaks into your house.
- Some tarps are stronger and more mildew-resistant than others.
- When selecting a type of tarp that can best protect your roof, it’s crucial to evaluate how severe the damage is to your roof. Depending on their task, tarps can be heavy or light, but heavy-duty is preferable in regions with regular storms and strong winds. A few tarps also make a claim to be rot- and mildew-resistant.
- It provides adequate time.
- Using a tarp on your roof provides you with additional time to find the right roofing contractor who can fix your roof professionally.
- Insurance: a tarp eases an insurance company’s main concern about preventing further damage to the house after a roof is damaged.
How to tarp your roof
Things you need:
- 2×4 wood boards
- A tarp
- Nails
- Hammer
- Gloves
- Ladder
- Safety glasses
- Utility knife
Make sure you have at least one helper ready before starting this work. Put on the appropriate safety equipment, which should be worn next. This comprises suitable work boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, safety glasses, and fall protection equipment. After taking all necessary safety steps, install the ladder. Climb to assess any damage to the roof rather than climbing onto any area that seems damaged.
Using a tape measure, determine how much the roof has to be covered with a tarp. Then, get a tarp that is the right size and some 2x4s to secure it. Remember that the 2x4s must extend about 2 feet past the tarp’s edges.
In addition, you need to remove any debris from the roof. Use a broom to remove any debris on the roof, especially where you want to lay the tarp. Remove broken shingles that could tear the tarp. You can then prepare the tarp. Once the tarp is securely stretched out over the damaged area with the aid of a helper, make sure that it extends at least 4 feet beyond the roof’s peak to prevent water from seeping underneath.
Steps to tarping a roof
- As already mentioned, the tarp should first be spread out. Take a 2×4 board and round the plastic end with it. To keep the plastic in place, staple or nail it.
- You should spread enough tarp to cover the damage’s width. Rolling out extra is usually a smart idea, just in case.
- Use a utility knife to cut the plastic or tarp once you’ve spread enough of it. Like the first side, staple or nail the tarp or plastic to a second 2×4.
- With the 2x4s strung from end to end, place your tarp on the damaged area using a ladder.To keep the 2x4s in place, fasten the roof sheath with 3 14-inch Copper Nails.
- After you finish, verify that the building is secure.
Final thoughts
Roof tarps are not a long-term solution, which is vital to understand. The tarps will soon show signs of wear and tear because storms are so frequent. Additionally, debris and tree branches that have fallen may pierce the tarp, further harming your roof and belongings. Therefore, changing the tarp as needed is crucial until all the roof repairs are finished.
You can hire a professional tarping company if you are not into DIY. Professional tarp installation services are an affordable and secure solution to safeguard you, your possessions, and your roof from further structural damage without danger. Even in the greatest conditions, DIYers often try to fix their own roofs, but doing so can be dangerous, especially if the roof is structurally damaged.
